1 Shadows of Yesterday

The sneak attack had taken into action through an order that the soldiers obey without any hesitation. A man was shot from a distance as he tries to block the doorway of his house. The soldier got inside and grab a pregnant woman outside of the house.

A young girl tried to run from the back door but the soldier caught up and pinned her to the ground. She resisted and broke off from the soldier's grip but was shot dead before she could run away.

Then, a loud explosion could be heard as the soldiers started throwing flames and burn every thing they approach. Houses, vegetations, and even humans. Some were burned alive and their cries could be heard as their earthly flesh roast in the flames.

In a corner, a group of soldiers tortured a man to death. He could barely move his body because of the pain that even pierced through his bones. Another man was struggling and trying to escape from the hands of the soldiers beating him relentlessly. Some of them are held captive including the pregnant woman and some children.

Dahlia who happen to be at the kitchen preparing for Mizuki's party quickly run outside to where Jericho is playing with his kite and grabbed him inside the house.

"Stay here, okay. Do not come out if I did not tell you." She hid him under a cupboard beneath the table.

"What's happening mama?" The innocent child asked her.

"There's no time to explain. Just stay here, okay. And don't come out unless I come get you." She holds his cheeks and caressed him as her tears wept down her chin. "Mama loves you." Then she put down and closed the cupboard.

A soldier suddenly appeared before her very eyes. Pointing a spear at her chest, she's defenseless and couldn't do a thing so she raised her hands as if she was going to surrender. The soldier grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the house.

Meanwhile at the river, Mizuki heard all the commotion. The animals were startled by the explosions and dark smokes could be seen just by above the trees. Mizuki hurriedly run back to the village. As he was just about to get out of the woods, he witnessed the atrocious scenery. His eyes widened as he saw the gory sight before him. He hid behind the bushes as he watched the village burn into ashes.

Dead bodies covered in blood piled over one another. Children and women are being held captive including his mother. Men were killed and some were burned alive. His father and Diana were wounded in a battle.

He was afraid to take a step forward as his legs were shaking in fear. He roamed his eyes around with fear and tremor on his face. He watched from afar as the flames slowly eat their house to dust.

Suddenly the backdoor opened and a kid run outside, it was Jericho. He managed to get out just before the fire could reach him and tried to run into the woods to where Mizuki was. Unfortunately a soldier caught a glance of him and shot him from behind.

The gunshot echoed and the body fell unto the ground.

Mizuki was frozen and speechless as he witnessed how his innocent little brother died before him.

"Jericho!!!" Dahlia cried that distracted and caught the attention of Tobias and Diana.

Tobias was angered as he saw the lifeless body of his child lying down on the ground.

Dahlia quickly run towards Jericho's cold body as spears and bullets followed after her.

"Go!" Tobias said to Diana in a cold voice. "You should escape for now, take Dahlia and the children. I will handle this." He added.

"But, we cannot leave you here!" The old woman persisted.

"It's no use fighting back, we're outnumbered and we're already on our limit. The best chance for now is for everyone else to escape."

Diana, who was also on her limit could do nothing but to agree with Tobias' plan.

"Water Fortress!" Using his remaining mana, Tobias wade through the flames and created a gigantic wall of water that separates him and the soldiers from Diana and Dahlia.

'This should buy time.' He thought.

"Trying to be a hero, Tobias?" Aiden laughed frantically. "Perhaps you would like to join your father in the after life."

As Dahlia laid Jericho's blooded body in her arms, Diana approached her. "We must go now, or your husband's sacrifice will be in vain." She said catching her breath.

Dahlia stood up carrying her son's body and they run toward the woods.

"Mama!" A shaky voice appeared from the bushes, it was Mizuki holding his violin still shaking in fear.

Without saying anything, Dahlia grabbed him and hurriedly run deeper into the woods.

The three of them run as fast as they could as tears drop one by one from Mizuki's eyes. Blood spilled through Jericho's dead body as Dahlia carried him away. While Diana who's leading in the front tried to keep her consciousness intact as the wounds she had from the battle are making her dizzy.

Suddenly, an arrow landed on Dahlia's back that made her shout in pain. Three more arrows pierced on her back that made her fall unto the ground.

"Mama!!!" Mizuki cried.

"I… I cannot go on." She stuttered in pain as bloods drip out of her mouth.

"Mama, please don't." The poor Mizuki cries trying to pull his mother from the ground.

"Dahlia…" Diana said with a grieving voice. It is painful for a mother to watch her child in agony and suffering in pain.

"Mother, please take my son away from here." She pleaded toward the old woman in a low voice stuttering voice.

"No!!!" Mizuki shouted. "I cannot leave you here!!!"

"Mizuki, listen!" She wiped the tears off her eyes. "I'll be fine" She smiled. "You don't have to worry about me. You still have your life to live with." She cannot hold her tears back.

"No! Please." He cried and cried.

She caressed his face wiping off his tears. "Always remember that mama and papa love you so much." She hugged him as tears continue to drip down her cheeks.

Dahlia looked at her mother with a smile which the old woman immediately understood. Diana quickly grabbed Mizuki and carried him on her back.

The poor child couldn't do anything but to watch as her mother weeps on the ground while hugging the deceased body of his brother. A few more distance and they were out of sight.

The old woman followed the river stream thinking that their only escape is through the waterfall. They both jump and used the last remaining drop of her energy to protect Mizuki from the fall.

"Floral Envelope!" A ball made of entirely a plant's floral structure compromised of the vines and roots to wrapped Mizuki and protect from the fall.

A moment later, it was quiet. The splash of the water are the only noise that could be heard and everything went white. Not that long, they emerged from the water and got washed up on land.

"Grandma, wake up!" Mizuki tried to wake her up as she passed out due to the fall.

The old woman woke up and tried to breath in some air.

"M-Mizuki." She stuttered. "Listen to me, I don't have much time left." She released a heavy breath out.

"No, don't say that grandma. I don't want to lose you either." He cried.

The old lady hold his hand and said, "I will pass on to you my ability to manipulate plants at will. This gift I received from the Moon Goddess herself."

"Grandma please don't do this." He begged the old woman.

"I… I have to my child." She stuttered and coughed several times. "My time had run out, this is only a remainder of the life that keeps me living. My glory days are over and my body cannot keep up with the power within me. I guess it is time to die."

"With the power granted to me by the heavens; I shall bestow the remaining drop of my existence; To unlock the divine power upon this child; Sealed within the curse that bind."

She uttered an incantation to unlock the magic to Mizuki. "Use it for the good and hone it to perfection. You must find the moon goddess, she can help you. You must know the truth behind your parent's death, as well as your true identity."

"My true identity? Grandma, what do you mean?" He confusedly asked. However, Diana's soul already left her earthly body. She died with a smile carved on her face.

A faint and cold voice whispered at him, "Live child, live!"